Cholera: Lagos records 15 deaths

on December 09, 2013 / in News 12:34 am / Comments

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

LAGOS — A Consultant Public Health Physician and Epidemiologist with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdul-Salam has disclosed that 15 deaths have so far been recorded out of 354 suspected cases of cholera in the state.

Speaking, weekend, at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the State Ministry of the Environment, Office of Environmental Services, Abdul-Salam, who presented a lecture entitled, ‘Prevention and Control of Cholera,’ said the figures were obtained from a study carried out following the outbreak of cholera in the state last month.

“The first case of suspected cholera outbreak in Lagos was reported in September 19, 2013 on Lagos Island and later at Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area.

“As at the 12th week into the outbreak, 15 councils had reported at least one suspected case of cholera with 354 suspected cases.

“There are currently 15 labs and 109 Epilink confirmed cases. Fifteen deaths have been recorded. Case fatality rate is 15 by 124, that is 12 per cent,” he said.

Noting the results indicated that majority of the patients ate a local salad popularly called ‘Abacha’ and due to poor sanitary environment, he said prompt intervention management of cases at secondary health facilities, and availability of cholera kits and other consumables prevented the disease from spreading.